In an interview with this newspaper, Captain Augustine Okon, the Akwa Ibom Coordinator of Labour Party, espouses the visions of Peter Obi, the party’s presidential candidate, to rescue Nigeria and urges the electorate to key into his visions by voting him into power in 2023.
His story:
Reason for supporting Peter Obi and Labour Party
I support Peter Obi because he has a clear vision and has shown us how he will achieve certain things when he is voted into office. He has a track record of good performance. He is a man we can count on. I know the opposition has tried to tarnish his image, but he has been steadfast. His message has been very clear and resonates with the young people and resonates with me. So, we have watched others who led us drifting us in many directions, but Peter Obi has come up to say let’s rescue Nigeria before it is too late. I am also in support of that decision to help turn the country around in the direction of hope.
Wrestle power from the corrupt politicians
We have a good seed in Peter, and we are planting it in this rotten compost. We will use the energy in us to do so. There are a lot of people who have been waiting and hoping that a Messiah will come, and there are thousands and millions ready to support that vision that he has. So, I am sure, through our support, he will be able to wrestle power this time around from the cabals.
Head starts in campaigning for Peter Obi in Akwa Ibom State
We have a lot of head starts. We have a lot of young people- the unemployed, the disgruntled who are unhappy with the present state of things in the country. So, that gives us a head start. On the other hand, the two political parties that we have are in disarray. So, these people have seen that even their parties do not have any plan or hope for Nigeria, at least, not for Southern Nigeria, and definitely, not for Akwa Ibom State. So, that is a head start for us – that we have people who now can see that there is hope for us; that it is not a hopeless situation; that if we continue in the old way, we will just continue to perpetrate the inequality on the rock that has dissented us.
So, I think with a large population of young people, a large population of unemployed people, and I hear over 60% of Akwa Ibom youths are unemployed and most of them are unemployed because they have no skills, no training. So, they are not happy. Now add to that, the disgruntled politicians now realise that they have been following wrong political parties, that have not gotten the interest of Akwa Ibom at their hearts, and do not have the interests of Southern Nigeria at heart is a head start.
On turning around Nigeria’s problems
When Peter inherited Anambra State as a governor, Anambra was in a mess: the insecurity was poor, and educational system, ailing. Peter turned it around. If he did that several years ago, he can do it again. Now, there are a lot of disgruntled people in Nigeria who are disappointed by the present state of politicians or administration, who instead of leading the country in the right direction, are perpetuating religious intolerance.
On ‘I am a Northerner, don’t vote a Yoruba or Igbo candidate’ by Atiku
As an Akwa Ibomite, that coming from Northerners that have ruled the country for eight years, and from a party that has zoned power to the South and now you say so, even if he said it was a joke, how can that be a joke? He was speaking his inner mind, and we have to take him seriously. I have listened to what Miyetti Allah and other groups are saying that they want to perpetuate Fulani rule in this country forever. It is unacceptable. He should apologise. Let the Southerners choose and let him stay there, and see what will happen at the polls.
On Primate Elijah Ayodele’s warning about Igbo betrayal
I will also ask our Igbo brothers to assist Peter Obi and not to play the spoiler. They should have enough confidence in themselves and support their son. Peter has the capacity to win, if he has strong support from the South East. Peter Obi is not an Igbo candidate, he has people who support him in the North, West, but I will ask his brothers to support him to make the race much easier.
On poverty reduction in Nigeria
Peter Obi already said in his manifesto that he will take us from the level of consumers to the level of producers. You know that we have all the tools of production; we have the population, the natural resources, crude oil, manpower, and farmlands. So, all we need is a government that is ready and willing to assist people in production. Akwa Ibom being the largest producers of crude oil, how many of our people are involved in the oil business? We have a lot of educated young people, how are we giving them skills to use their education to improve themselves? Our state was known for fishing in those days, but we are unable to explore the resources in the water as we should. But, Peter Obi’s government will give us direction.
Imagine if our Ibaka Deep seaport is operational, you know how many people it will employ, and the added value it will bring to the economy of this nation and the creation of massive employment. Look at the Apapa Seaport: it is not only for the growth of Lagos, but also for the entire country. So, Peter Obi will do that for us, and can revive ALSCON for us. Peter is the man who believes you can start with what you have. He had done it before in Anambra, he can still do it. Even when Peter Obi was governor in Anambra State, he transformed the state from education to health sector. The indices that the United Nations said in Akwa Ibom, I think, we have a whole lot to benefit. Peter will support the establishment of Ibaka Deep Seaport with a natural depth of 13 metres, which is deeper than Apapa Seaport. With this, Nigeria will be comfortable using a natural deep seaport for ocean-driven ships.
On Peter Obi’s refusal to assist his father-in-law in Onna to complete a house
I don’t have any opinion on that. But I think this is a pedestrian idea that he has not assisting his father in-law to complete a house. Peter Obi is a man who is very straight. Where did the accuser want him to get money from? Did he want him to steal? Even with his children, he makes you earn your own living and that is how life should be. We should stop depending on others. We should train people and lift them off the streets. Let them learn how to work. To own a house is a good thing. That he must build a house for his in-law is not part of the contract. Although I don’t have all the facts, I don’t think affairs of his family or extended family should be brought to the public glare.
How to convince the illiterates and the gullible to vote for Peter Obi
The LP canvassers have done it before. They did it in 2011 and the elections before. What they are trying to guard against is vote buying, and we are not going to buy votes. Peter has said it. They bought in 2011 and what happens to the electorate. The politicians just take us down the poverty line. In 2015, they did it again and we kept sinking in 2019 same thing. Whatever they are doing in vote buying, we are not going to imitate them in doing that. But, we urge the people to go and preach to others about what the future holds for them: that they should vote for Peter Obi and the principles he stands for. Peter is here to teach us how to fish, and not to show us how to share money.
So, we appeal to different groups to urge the electorate to support us, and not follow someone else because you are given N10,000. So, we say ‘vote for a man who will create employment and revitalise the economy, put an end to crude oil theft, reunite the country,’ because when we are united, insecurity will be reduced. Some other political parties are using poverty as a tool or instrument to capture the minds of the people, but we will not.
What I stand to gain if I vote for Peter Obi
For people of Akwa Ibom, we stand to gain freedom from people who feel that ruling us is their birth right, and regain security. We will know we have a government that will rescue the economy, have a long-term plan to stop corruption that has eaten deep into our nation. I think this is the reason we should vote for him. Peter has done it before, and he will do it again.
Message for Akwa Ibom electorate
To Akwa Ibom electorate, I am saying please note that, this is our last chance to rescue this country. Do not vote for party, vote for someone who has a plan for this country, for this state and for our families. Do not say traditionally we are XYZ party people, vote for someone who has a vision, a man whose party has a plan, not just a plan for elections but willing to carry out the things in its manifesto.
